Students who meet the EAD discretionary range must successfully pass the EAD program to fulfill OCAD U’s English proficiency requirements for admission to OCAD U.

Official English language test scores must be submitted to the Admissions & Recruitment Office by June 14, 2016.

2. If I do not meet OCAD U’s English proficiency requirements, how can the EAD program help me enter OCAD University?

If your English language test scores fall within the EAD discretionary range, you may participate in the EAD program. You must successfully pass the EAD program to fulfill OCAD U’s English proficiency requirements for admission in September. There is no final exam or test in the EAD program but your English language skills will be evaluated throughout the 5 week program to ensure you meet the level of skill required at OCAD U.

3. I want to apply to OCAD U in the future. Can I take the EAD Program to improve my English now?

Unfortunately, the EAD Program is only available to students who have been accepted to OCAD U for the upcoming academic year.

4. What happens if I cannot submit my official English language test scores to the Admissions and Recruitment Office by the deadline?

You will not be allowed to participate in the EAD program and you will receive a full refund minus the $50 application fee.

You will have until sometime in August to meet any outstanding academic requirements for admission to OCAD U. For more information, please contact the Admissions & Recruitment Office.

5. How will the EAD program affect my First-Year program at OCAD University?

You will be better prepared. The Visual Culture classes are designed to build your vocabulary and give you plenty of opportunity for writing and oral practice. You will learn about all the support services for students and receive a thorough orientation to OCAD U and to the surrounding neighbourhoods of Toronto. All of this will give you a five-week head start on the first day of classes in September.

6. Can I use OSAP to fund the English for Art and Design Program?

OSAP stands for Ontario Student Assistance Program.

No. OSAP cannot help fund non-credit programs.

7. Do I need a Study Permit?

If you are an International Student, you will require a valid study permit (student visa) to study at OCAD U in September. We highly recommend that you apply for your study permit before you leave your home country. You should do this immediately because it can take a long time for your visa office to reply. You must receive a letter of approval (letter of introduction) from your visa office before you leave the country. You must show this at the airport when you arrive in Canada to receive your student visa.

If you're already studying in Canada on a study permit, you should apply to renew it immediately. Please visit Extending Your Stay for more information on renewing your permit.

If you have questions about the visa requirements, please contact Donald Kelly at 416-977-6000, Ext. 428 in the Admissions & Recruitment Office.

8. Where can I stay?

OCAD U does not operate its own housing services, however students do have access to some housing services operated by the University of Toronto. The closest dormitory to OCAD U (10-minute walk) is Chestnut Residence.

9. What is included in my fees and what are the benefits of the program?

The EAD program will have very small classes: 12 to 20 students. Many ESL students at OCAD U tell us that the most difficult things about first year are:

understanding lectures

having the confidence to participate in class discussion and critique

knowing where to find things

knowing where to go for help

The EAD program addresses each of these as follows:

The Visual Culture Class is taught by a Visual Culture faculty member plus an ESL Specialist (the Program Coordinator). This class will develop your vocabulary and your English listening and speaking skills (2 faculty members; 12 to 20 students).

The program is coordinated by a Program Coordinator (ESL Specialist) who will be there full-time throughout the program (and even on call on weekends in case of emergency). This person will participate in the Visual Culture Class and Skills Workshops, and organize the Friday gallery visits, and optional social events.

In total, the group of 12 to 20 students will have the following people dedicated to the EAD program:

Program Coordinator (available full time)

Visual Culture Instructor

Student Mentors during gallery visits

As well as help from staff in the Writing and Learning Centre, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences Office, Student Advisors, and the First-Year Chairs in the Faculty of Art and the Faculty of Design.

We want you to succeed!

10. What is the attendance policy?

You are expected to attend all classes and participate fully in them. Please note that a student with three or more unexcused absences may be assigned a failing grade for the program.